water theatre; theatre using water tricks
Archaic term for a type of theatre performance that incorporated water for tricks or cooling effects, typically during hot weather. Not used in modern Japanese.
During the Edo period, a type of performance using water called mizu-kyōgen was put on in summer.
Compound of 水 (mizu, 'water') and 狂言 (kyōgen, 'theatre, play'). The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it likely referred to a summer entertainment involving water.